Northern Ireland Angling Festivals

Some of the finest fishing available in Europe with bream, perch, tench, roach and hybrids in abundance as well as pike fishing that is second to none.

The Erne System and the Lower Bann are your venues for many popular angling festivals.

The Fermanagh Classic is one of Europe’s premier fishing festivals with some of the top anglers from Ireland and Europe taking part. The Classic celebrated its 40th anniversary in May 2015 and welcomed more than 240 anglers, including several previous World Champions, from Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria.

Another popular Fermanagh festival is the Mahon's Festival which is an annual event sponsored by the Mahon's Hotel.

The Bann Bonanza is run on the Lower Bann at Portglenone and is an excellent match fishing venue. The five day festival is held in November and many of the top anglers in the country take part. There is good access and great fishing with roach, bream and hybrids being the main quarry.

2018 Match Dates:

• Mahon's Festival 7th - 11th May
  
  
• Fermanagh Classic 14th - 18th May
  
  
• Bann Bonanza Dates to be confirmed

Northern Ireland Rod Licences

From April 2016, anglers will no longer get a paper rod licence or permit. Instead, they will get an electronic record (e-record) with a unique reference number. The new system will work out what type of licence or permit is needed.

See the following link to buy your licence on-line

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/buy-rod-licences-permits-and-river-bush-day-tickets

Further information can be found at

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/angling/angling-everything-you-need-go-fishing

List of authorised distributors where licences can be bought can be found at

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/angling-licence-and-permit-distributors